The Pirates vs Navy Hand Painted Chess Set by Italfama

• 3.25 inch king
• Superb detailing
• Pieces presented in gift packing
• 15.75 inch Walnut and Maple board

THE CHESSMEN
Each of these chess pieces has been crafted from crushed stone composite by the world famous Italfama based in Italy. The exquisite detailing progresses from the pawns depicted as British Infantry and swashbuckling deckhands through to the bishops and knights, portrayed as higher-ranking officers or pirates.

The Pirate King is romantically characterised, from his peg leg to his eye patch and pet monkey. His counterpart is handsomely dressed in traditional Naval uniform of that period together with his fashionable wig and eyeglass.

However it is the rooks that are the most outstanding pieces in this set. Detailed hulls and billowing sails make these pieces ornaments in their own right. Atop each side's mast bears the UK standard or the Jolly Roger.

We have taken these stunning pieces and matched them with the beautiful 15.75 inch walnut and maple chess board from Spain to make this very enviable chess set. These Pirates vs Navy chessmen are also available without a board but either way, would make a superb gift for any chess enthusiast or Pirates of the Caribbean fan.

THE HISTORY
The attacks on the Aegean and Mediterranean civilisations in the 14th Century BC, by the Sea People (or seafaring raiders), were the earliest documented occurances of piracy. However, the ‘classic' era of piracy in the Caribbean ran from approximately 1650 until the mid 1720s. By 1650 colonial empires were evolving under the rule of England, France and the United Provinces. These developing colonies prompted a substantial amount of trade across the waters along with a general improvement in the economy. Money was being made - or stolen - and the majority of it travelled across the seas.

French pirates (or buccaneers) settled in Northern Hispaniola as early as 1625 but initially lived as hunters rather than thieves. Their move into full time piracy was gradual and provoked, in part, by the Spanish attempts to wipe out not only the pirates but the animals they hunted to survive.

The pirates then set their sights on the island of Tortuga, a more defensible island which curbed their resources and prompted an increase in their raids. This increase was exacerbated by the English gaining rule of Jamaica in 1655. Early English Governors on the island granted 'letters of marque', a government authorisation, to attack and capture enemy ships to be brought before admiralty courts. The development of Port Royal provided the pirates a far more profitable and agreeable place to sell their spoils.